Suffolk Schools' 2002-03 Proposed Budget

Suffolk School Superintendent Milton Liverman has proposed a nearly $96.4 million budget for next school year. The total budget is 11.8 percent higher than the current budget of $86.2 million.

Liverman's proposed budget seeks $29.2 million from the City of Suffolk - 12.7 percent more than it got for the current budget.

This month, the School Board will consider changes to the budget. It conducted a public hearing Feb. 14. The Suffolk City Council is expected to vote on how much it will give the school system at its May 1 meeting.

THE BUDGET:

* Salaries for all employees would increase between 3.25 percent and 5.97 percent.

* $1.5 million would be set aside to make the pay scales more competitive regionally. This wouldn't be enough to raise all employees to the top regional levels based on their experience, but it would help to narrow the gap.

* 77 new teachers, teacher assistants, bus drivers, bus aides and other positions to address growth of the schools

CHALLENGES:

The Virginia General Assembly might approve a state budget that doesn't include increases for teachers' salaries. The money for the raises requested in this proposed budget would thus have to come from Suffolk.

BUDGET SCHEDULE

March 14 - Budget discussion at the School Board meeting

March 21 - Special School Board meeting at 6 p.m. to discuss and vote on the budget proposal

April 1 - Budget submitted to City Council

May 1 - Request to approve the school budget goes before the City Council

May 9 - Final adoption of budget at the School Board meeting

School Board and City Council meetings are conducted at 7 p.m. on the second floor of the Municipal Building, 441 Market St.

WHAT'S NEW:

* Hire two truant officers to help monitor and enforce student attendance at all grade levels ($90,000)

* Buy mobile radios for bus drivers ($139,000)

Reported by Jessie Halladay. She can be reached at 357-6392 or by e-mail at jhalladay@dailypress.com